Plant soil interactions in peatlands - TBC

The overarching aim of this project is to explore if blanket bog status (active vs degreaded) can be linked to changes in below ground biota communities with predictable impact on ecosystem services (ES) specifically carbon (C) storage and water quality. This builds on an existing Defra experiment: within instrumented catchments, 3 bog sites on a narrow spectrum of 'active' to 'degraded' habitat (based on vegetation cover) have been subjected to replicated treatments of burning and mowing (with uncut controls). So far carbon (C) accumulation, water storage, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and non-mycorrhizal active bog vegetation, particularly sedges (Eriophorum), all increased on active sites and under mowing management, compared to burning and with less 'active' vegetation on degraded and burnt sites. This project will fill evidence gaps which limit the ability of Natural England and others to restore and protect blanket bog, a priority habitat supporting important biodiversity and ES.
The project will (i) test if this empirical evidence holds true across a wider spectrum of habitat status, (ii) unravel plant-soil mediated differences in C cycling and water quality, and (iii) unpick the underpinning soil processes and identify potential key biota drivers, specifically ericoid mycorrhizas, and (iv) determine responses to climate and management. The goal is to resolve the key plant-soil processes regulating peatland C cycling, ultimately affecting ES, in order to provide sound advice on future best practice management.